Planning Specialist

About Keelings

Keelings is a 100% Irish-owned family business passionate about fresh produce. Operating across Ireland, the UK, and Europe, we grow, source, and supply top-quality fruit and vegetables. Our success is built on innovation, sustainability, and strong partnerships - powered by our dedicated people.

Purpose of the Role:

Plan and monitor labour and resource requirements against detailed production plans within a 24/7 production environment. Working closely with the Operations Team, the role ensures appropriate resources and skills are available to support production requirements, minimise production time and costs, and maximise operational efficiency.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Analyse production requirements and prepare mid- to long-term labour and resource plans based on forecast production volumes, capacity and required skill sets.

Schedule and monitor labour deployment against production plans, identifying resource constraints, capacity gaps and required corrective actions.

Analyse labour availability, worked hours, skill mix and absence trends to evaluate performance against plan and support future production planning decisions.

Incorporate resource availability constraints into production planning and scheduling decisions.

Prepare operational reports and performance metrics, analysing variances, risks and trends to support production planning and management decision-making.

Support process improvement and change initiatives through process mapping, business system testing and troubleshooting where required.

Coordinate with Operations and relevant internal and external stakeholders to ensure resource availability is aligned with forecast production requirements.

Coordinate operational support requirements where necessary to ensure resource availability is aligned with production plans.

Maintain accurate planning data and carry out relevant planning controls to support operational reporting, compliance and continuous improvement.

Undertake other relevant duties consistent with the Production Planner role and operational requirements of the Company.

Key Skills, Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential

Third-level qualification in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business or a related discipline.

Strong understanding of supply chain, production planning and resource planning principles within an operational environment.

Advanced MS Excel skills, with the ability to analyse operational data, identify trends and support planning decisions.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess production requirements, resource availability and operational constraints.

Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage planning activities in a fast-paced production environment.

Ability to work effectively with Operations and other cross-functional teams to support production requirements.

Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.

Competence in business systems, reporting and performance monitoring.

Ability to work independently, adapt to changing production requirements and manage competing operational priorities.

Ability to support planning requirements within a 24/7 production environment.

Desirable

Postgraduate qualification in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management or a related discipline.

Previous experience in logistics, supply chain, production support, resource planning or another operational environment.

Experience in analysing operational performance, resource requirements and process efficiency.

Experience in process mapping, process improvement or change implementation.

Experience working with operational KPIs, reporting tools and data-driven decision-making.

Experience in food, fresh produce, manufacturing, FMCG or another high-volume production environment.

* Knowledge of Working Time legislation and workforce planning controls.

Annual Basic Salary: €37,000 gross per annum

Working Hours: 39 hours per week

Benefits:

Staff discount at Keelings Farm Shop and subsidized canteen

Free On-site parking with access to electric chargers

Wellness Initiatives such as wellness week

Keelings Values

People Matter

Teamwork

Integrity

Passion for Achievement

Inclusion & Diversity Statement

In Keelings we value all perspectives and knowledge that our colleagues bring to our business. We are committed to forming a diverse and inclusive team where all can share their unique experiences and perspectives. We welcome applications from all cultures and backgrounds and are dedicated to forming an environment of inclusiveness and diversity where all can thoroughly feel a sense of belonging.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

If you require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know at recruitment\[email protected]

Keelings Careers - https://www.keelings.com/careers-keelings/

Keelings Strategy & Values - https://www.keelings.com/our-people/